Bowling alley



Nov. 10, 1942.

H. E. GREMP ETAL y2,301,778

BOWLING ALLEY Filed Nov. 8, 1940 :man

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Nov. 10, 1942.

H. E. GREMP Erm.

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r T www M Filed Nov. 8, 1940 maw@ Q mm nh mw. mm. w. www w k QQ mmv y mm www @Q mb QW .mw g g Q 9v, KW Q KW m. K@ um NW Nk Nk NN MN mh. hm. EN mm. mh @Qa/m@ um E Nov. 10, 1942. H. EiGRl-:MP ETAL BOWLING ALLEY Filed NOV. 8, 1940 3 Shee'lZS-Shee'i'I 5 VI VA INVENTOR Hezzrgi Gimp Falz/ard cmmp BY @gema/:4

Patented Nov. 1o, 1942 BOWLING ALLEY Henry E. Gremp and Edward C. Gremp, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 8, 1940, Serial No. 364,874

22 Claims.

Our invention relates in general to runway construction and has -more particular reference to bowling alleys.

An important object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive, yet durable runway construction particularly well suited for use in building bowling alleys.

Another important object is to -provide an alley construction havin-g simplified means for leveling the floor thereof; a further object being to mount the runway on spaced support beams arranged at intervals along the runway, and yto provide for adjusting the beams in order to level the alley or yalleys carried thereby; a still further object being to mount a plurality of alleyways in a set of beams common to all of the alleys,

Another important object is to provide a runway structure adapted .to be erected in locations exposed to the weathery or otherwise exposed to excessive atmospheric moisture, without impairing Ithe accuracy of the surface ofthe runway throughout a long service life; a further object being to provide an outdoor bowling alley which need not be enclosed or otherwise protected from the weather.

Another important object is to form a bowling alley embodying sheet metal sections forming gutters in the bowling alley structure; a further object being to utilize sheet metal sections for edge gutters as well as for ball return tra-ck means in a bowling alley structure.

Another important object is to .provide a bowling alley structure having a ball return track having portions extending substantially beneath the level of the alley floor 4between the pit end of the bowling alley and the delivery end thereof; a further object being to enclose the top of the ball return track and thus conceal the balls from view during the returning travel thereof from the pit end of the alley'to the delivery end thereof.

Another important object is to arrange the ball return track in a Abowling alley beneath the edge gutters thereof, whereby to conserve space, as

well as to enclose the ball return track and thereby prevent interference with the travel of balls along the return track.

Another important object is to provide a sheet metal gutter having fiber rails secured therein for the vpurpose of forming a trackway for balls; a further object being to provide novel clamping means ,for securing the rails in the sheet metal gutter.

Another important object resides in providing an improved combination of sheet metal and 55 set.

monolithic material, such as cement, and a composition surfacing material for use in the construction of bowling alley oors; a further obreturn trackway may serve both alleys.

`These and numerous other important objects, advantages, and inherent functions of the invention willV become apparent as the same is more fully understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses alley structures embodying our `present invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figurev 1 is a perspective view of a bowling' alley embodying our present invention;

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are sectional views take substantially along the lines 2-2, 3-3 and 4-4 in Fig. 1;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional View similar to Figure 4, but showing a modified alley structure embodying our present invention;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view taken along the line 6 6 in Figure 1;

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are enlarged sectional views taken substantially along the lines I--1, 8-8 and 9-9 in Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a modied pit end structure; and

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line II-II in Figure 10.

To illustrate the invention, the drawings show a bowling alley structure II comprising means forming a pair of adjacently disposed alleys I3 forming a bowling alley set, each alley comprising a runway or floor I5 having a pit construction I1 at one end and a delivery platform I9 at the other, said alleys being adjacent and each having edge gutters 2| at their opposite side edges, and the' structure includes ball return trackway means 23 along which balls may be returned from the pit end of the alleys to a ball rack 2l at the delivery end of the alleys, the rack 2l preferably, though not essentially, being arranged between the adjacent platforms I9 of the alley The alley structure is preferably carried on piers 133 which may conveniently comprise wooden posts or blocks fastened in the ground or other base on which the alley structure is erected. The piers are arranged in spaced rows at the opposite sides of the alley structure, each area containing piers in Vertical alignment laterally of the alley structure.

The runway or floor I5 of each alley is preferably carried on a supporting sub-structure comprising longitudinally extending members 29 disposed along the opposite sides of each alley I3. These members 23 are preferably iron channels formed in sections to facilitate transportation to the erecting site and are adapted to be assembled in abutting end-to-end relationship and secured together in any suitable or convenient fashion, as by bolting with fish plates, welding, or otherwise, to form rails.

The longitudinally extending support members 29 are secured at intervals throughout the length of the alley floor, as by bolting the same upon laterally extending beams 3l which may conveniently comprise I-beams, the opposite ends of which are secured, as by bolting, to plates 33. The plates 33 extend outwardly of the ends of the I-beams and carry each a threaded embossment 35 for the reception of a threaded adjusting stem 31 comprising a threaded rod having a non-circular head 39 of preferably square sectional configuration at one end for the reception of a turning tool. The opposite end of the member 31 is formed to bear on a bearing plate 4I which is secured preferably on the upper end of a pier or post 43, Figs. 4 and 5.

It will be seen from the foregoing that each of the beams 3I is adjustably supported at its opposite ends on piers at the opposite sides of the alley structure, and it will be apparent that one or more alley floors may be supported on the l same beam. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of alley floors forming a set are supported on the same row of beams 3l. It will be seen also that the plates 33 may support the abutting ends of beams 3| carrying adjacent alley strucy tures, since the plate 33 has beam-engaging portions extending outwardly on opposite sides of the adjusting stem 31.

The support members 29 preferably comprise angle portions 41 and channel portions 49 and may comprise an integral unit with one flange of the angle portion forming a flange of the channel portion. Preferably, however, the portions 41 and B9 are formed separately and secured together by fastening means 45.

The floors I5 of the alleys are carried between the spaced sup-port means 29, the opposite edges of each floor resting upon the joined flanges of the angle portion 41 and the channel portion 49. The floor I5 may, of course, be of any suitable or preferred construction, but in order that the alley may be weather resistant, the floor I5 is preferably formed of weather-proof material. To this end, the floor preferably comprises support means 5I, which is shown in the illustrated embodiments as corrugated sheet metal means, the same being assembled on and between the supports 29 with the corrugations 53 extending laterally therebetween. The opposite edges of the corrugated sheet material 5I are preferably anchored on the spaced support members 29 by means of the fastening elements 45.

The corrugated sheet metal support means 5I carries a preferably monolithic sub-floor 55 which may conveniently comprise concrete, which,

if desired, may be suitably reinforced by means of steel or other` reinforcing members extending therein. Ordinarily, however, the corrugated sheet material 5I will afford adequate reinforcement for the floor span between the support members 29. The concrete material 55 fills the space between the upstanding flanges of the angle portions 41 approximately to the level of the upper edges of said flanges, and a surfacing layer 51 of any suitable character is applied upon the concrete as a finishing layer. The layer 51 preferably comprises a weather-proof, resilient mastic material adapted to be finished to provide a relatively hard, long wearing, weather resistant playing surface, and to this end, granulated or powdered wood, together with a binder and suitable non-soluble adhesives, may be employed to advantage. After the surfacing layer has been applied, it may be finished smooth by the use of sanding machines and coated with shellac.

The support means 29 at intervals carry gutter support brackets 6I, which preferably comprise sheet metal pieces formed with lateral flanges 63 for attachment, as by bolting, to the members 29 at one end of the bracket. The other end of the bracket is formed with flange means 64 for connecting the same on support means spaced from the members 23, and such support means may be the member 29 of an adjacent alley, or may be a separate bracket support member. The members SI are each formed with a reinforcing flange E5 along the lower edge thereof and are formed with gutter supporting flanges 61 in the upper edge of the bracket.

As shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, one end of the brackets Si is secured, as by bolting, to the member 29 and extends outwardly thereof at the side of the alley, the opposite end of the bracket being fastened, as by bolting, to angle means G9 extending longitudinally at the side of the alley and secured, as by bolting, on the beams 3l. The edge gutters 2| have edges bent to form flanges 1I which are assembled in position overlying the inner faces of the upstanding flanges of the angle members 51, the flanges 1I being secured in place at intervals by fastening members 13 so that the gutters are firmly connected along one edge at the edge of the alley floor structure, said connection, of course, being made before the monolithic material 55 is placed. It will be noted that the monolithic layer 55 completely covers the gutter flange 1I and that the edges of the finishing layer 51 overlie the inner edge of the gutter, and in order to protect the edges of the layer 5l where the same meet the gutter, a preferably sheet metal retaining strip 15 is provided. The medial portions of the gutter ZI rest upon the gutter supporting flanges 61 of the bracket 5I, and a, rubber plate 11 is preferably interposed between the bottom of the gutters and the supporting flanges 61 for silencing purposes.

The outer edges of the gutters 2E are provided with upstanding flanges 19 for attachment, as by riveting or bolting, on the extensions of the bracket flange 64. As shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, the ball return trackway 23 is arranged in position extending between adjacent alleys I3 of an alley set supported upon a row of beams 3|, the return trackway being carried by the beams between the adjacent alleys. rlhe return trackway comprises a preferably sheet metal trough 8l in the bottom of which spaced-apart rails 83 are mounted. These rails preferably comprise strips of fibre material, the upper edges Of Which are rounded to receive the ball and support the same for further rolling movement therealong. The rails 83 may be secured in place in any suitable or preferred fashion and, as shown, may be clampingly mounted in channels 85 fastened in the bottom of the troughs 8| as by welding, riveting or bolting.

It will be seen that the return trackway will support the `ball between and below the level of the edge gutters 2| of adjacent alleys, and the trackway is preferably enclosed between said edge gutters in order to conceal the ball during its traveling movement along the trackway and prevent interference therewith. The trackway is enclosed by a preferably sheet metal cover 81 comprising sheet metal moldings 89 having flanges secured to the gutter flange 19. The cover means 81 also may include removable panel means 9|, Fig. 6, frictionally held between angle pieces 93 welded or otherwise secured to the moldings 89, the panels 9| being formed with fingerreceiving openings 95 by means of which the same may be removed in order to give access to the enclosed trackway,

If the structure of any particular alley requires the arrangement of the enclosed trackway 23 at the edge of an alley structure rather than between adjacent alleyways, one side of the trackway-enclosing housing may be finished as shown in dotted lines in Figure 4. In Figure 5 of 'the drawings is shown a modified arrangement of return trackways in which the same are supported at the side of an alley structure on the gutter supporting brackets 6| which, in addition to the gutter flanges 81, are provided with extensions 91 flanged as at 99 to provide support for the return trackway 23. As shown in Figure 5, the rails 83 of the trackway aremounted in a preferably sheet metal rail support which is secured, as by means of the bolts |03, to the bracket flanges 99. The rail support |8| may be flanged as at for connection with a molding |01 which may be secured to the flange 19 of the adjacent alley edge gutter.

The alley remote side of the trackway 23 may be finished in any desired fashion to enclose the side of the alley structure, or the alley structure may be integrated with the structure of an adjacent alley, as shown, by joining each of the brackets 6| with the corresponding bracket of the adjacent structure by bolting or otherwise securing angle members |09 therebetween. In such an event, the alley remote sides of the track members |0| may be formed with flanges extending to and secured upon the support members |09, which may carry a Walking deck I3 thereon between the return trackways of adjacent alley sets. This walking deck may be of any suitable or preferred construction and is shown as comprising corrugated sheet metal ||5 supported on the angle members |09 between the spaced flanges of adjacent trackways and monolithic material ||1 formed on the corrugated sheet material ||5 to provide a walking deck.

As shown more particularly at ||9, adjacent alley sets may be interconnected by means of integral gutter support brackets |8|, which may be formed either by stamping as a single piece or by suitably fastening together a pair of brackets 6|. In either case, the space between the adjacent gutters 2| of adjacent alleys may be finished by means of a cover molding |2| having spaced flanges for attachment, as by means of screws |23, on the flanges 19 of the adjacent gutters, which flanges also may have bent edges clamped together within the cover |2| by means 75 of the bolts |25. In such an event, the clamped edges of the flanges are cut away at intervals to provide openings vertically above the adjusting members 31, so that a turning instrument may be applied thereto upon removal of a section of the cover molding |2|.

In like fashion, where the adjusting screws 31 are disposed vertically beneath the trackways 23, as shown more particularly in Figure 5 of the drawings, openings are formed at intervals in the member |0| through which access to the operable ends of the adjusting members 31 may be had.

At the pit end of the alley, the terminal I-beam 3| supporting the end of the alley floor is provided with bracket means |21, preferably an angle member, on which is hung one end of a pit floor structure comprising spaced channel members |28, the other end of which is carried on an I-beam |3| supported at its opposite ends on. a pair of spaced piers |43 by screw-threaded adjusting means similar to the adjusting means used in mounting the beams 3| on the piers 43. The pit floor structure |28 preferably comprises a metallic grille |32 supported at its opposite side edges on the spaced channel members |28, which are fastened at one end on the bracket |21 and at the other on the I-beam |3I, Figs. 3 and '7. A preferably perforated rubber mat |34 is applied upon the grille |32 to protect balls from damage in dropping onto the pit floor. The spaced channel members 28 may also be used to support a removable, preferably sheet metal pan or tray |36 beneath the grille |32, said tray being removable from the rear of the pit and serving as a dust collector to catch such debris as may drop through the grille.

The pit end of the alley structure may be of any suitable style and construction, but preferably is formed of pre-fabricated metal elements, including corner posts |33 which may be anchored in the floor, foundation, or ground on which the alley is erected, as by driving the same into position. The posts |33 are interconnected by means of'a rail |35 secured in place, as by bolting, welding or other suitable fastening means. The rail carries a back-stop cushion tiltably hung thereon for swinging movement between the posts |33. On each side of each alley, Wings are provided, said Wings comprising metal plates attached on the opposite sides of the posts |33 vand additional posts in alignment therewith along the opposite sides of the alley structure at the pit end thereof and between the pits of adjacent alleys. Sheets of fibrous material may be applied, as by means of rivets or other suitable fasteners, upon the surfaces of the metal plates forming the pit wings in order to receive the impact of balls and suppress the noise of impact.

The return trackway 23 includes elevated portions |45 at the alley end of the structure, which elevated portions are supported on one of the wings of the pit structure. In the event that the return trackway is arranged -between adjacent al- .leys of a set, the center wall of the alley structure will, of course, be utilized to support the elevated portions of the return trackway, which will terminate, as at |39, at the rearward eX- tremity of the central partition. In the event that the return trackway is arranged in position extending along one side of the alley structure, the elevated portions of the trackway may be extended across the back of the pit, in which event it will be supported upon the rail |35 in order that both pits of an alley set may be served by the single return trackway.

At the delivery end of the alley structure, the platforms I9 may comprise extensions of the alley iioors l5. To this end, the support members 29, at the end of the alley oors, carry a channel member |4| secured thereto in any suitable fashion, as by means of the angle members |41. The member |4| supports an angle member M9 at the delivery end of the alley floors, and this angle member carries fibre stripl means comprising a foul line marker defining the delivery end of the alleys, the alley floor material 51 terminating at said marking strip |5|, the upper edge of which is flush with the surface of the licor layer 51. The channel member |4| supports the ends of the channels |29, comprising continuations of the members 29, the remote portions of said members |29 being carried on beams similar to the beams 3| and similarly mounted on floor supporting piers at the delivery end of the alley structure. The channels |29 are suitably secured together in spaced relationship, as by means of an angle member |53, and carry corrugated sheet metal floor supporting means thereon, the delivery platform comprising monolithic material such as cement |55 applied on the sheet metal means and covered by a surfacing layer |51.

At the delivery end of the alley structure, the return-trackway 23 connects with the ball rack 21, which is provided with a ball check |59 of any suitable, preferably sheet metal and fibre, construction for reducing the speed of return balls as the same enter the ball rack 21. The end of the ball rack 21 is supported on a newel post, which is preferably constructed of weather resisting sheet metal.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts Without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its/' attendant advantages, the forms herein disclosed being preferred embodiments for the purpose of illustrating the invention,

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A bowling alley comprising metallic mem-f. i.

bers arranged in end-to-end relationship to form spaced-apart sectional floor edge retaining and supporting means extending longitudinally of the alley and affording facing ledges, plate means supported, at the opposite edges of the plate.

means, on said facing ledges, monolithic means on said plate means in position extending between said spaced-apart edge retaining and supporting means to form an alley floor, laterally extending beams carrying said iioor edge retaining and supporting means at intervals, and means for individually adjusting the elevation and angularity of said beams for floor leveling purposes.

2. A bowling alley comprising metallic members arranged in end-to-end relationship to form spaced-apart sectional floor edge retaining and supporting means extending longitudinally of the alley and affording facing ledges, plate means supported, at the opposite edges of the plate means, on said facing ledges, monolithic means on said plate means in position extending between said spaced-apart edge retaining and supporting means to form an alley floor, longitudinally extending sheet metal trough means forming a gutter having an edge secured to thefloor edge retaining and supporting means at an edge of said fioor, laterally extending beams carrying said gutter and said floor edge retaining and supporting means at intervals, and means for individually adjusting the elevation and angularity of said beams for iioor and gutter leveling purposes.

3. A bowling alley comprising monolithic means forming an alley iioor, sheet metal trough means forming a gutter having an edge embedded in said monolithic means along a longitudinal edge of said fioor, laterally extending beams supporting said floor at intervals, means supporting said gutter on said beams, and means for individually adjusting the elevation and angularity of said beams for leveling said floor and said gutter.

4. A bowling alley comprising monolithic means forming an alley noor, channelled members in end-to-end relationship forming longitudinally extending floor supporting rail means defining the opposed edges of said floor, longitudinally extending sheet metal means forming a gutter having an edge secured to `the rail means along a longitudinal edge of said floor, laterally extending beams carrying said longitudinally extending rail means at intervals, and bracket means supporting said gutter at intervals on said longitudinally extending rail means.

5. A bowling alley comprising monolithic means forming an alley floor, metallic section members arranged in end-to-end relationship to form longitudinally extending spaced-apart iioor carrying means at the opposite side edges of the floor, sheet metal means forming a gutter having an edge embedded in said monolithic means along a longitudinal edge of said floor, laterally extending beams supporting said floor carrying means at intervals, means supporting said gutter on said floor carrying means, and means forming a return trackway for balls supported on said beams.

6. A bowling alley comprising means forming an alley oor, sheet metal trough means forming a gutter having an edge secured along a longitudinal edge of said oor, means forming a ball return trackway adjacent the floor remote edge of said gutter, and sheet metal cover means having an edge connected to said gutter along the floor remote edge thereof and enclosing said return trackway.

'7. A bowling alley comprising means forming a pair of adjacent alley floors in spaced relationship, a series of laterally extending beams supporting said iioors at intervals, each beam supporting both floors, and means for individually adjusting the elevation and angularity of said beams for iioor leveling purposes.

8. A bowling alley comprising means forming a pair of adjacently extending alley floors, each iioor being carried on longitudinally extending fioor edge supporting members, a series of spacedapart, laterally lextending beams carrying said floor supporting members at intervals, each beam carrying the supporting members of adjacent alley floors, and means for individually adjusting the elevation and angularity of said beams for iioor leveling purposes.

9. A bowling alley comprising means forming a pair of adjacent alley floors, a series of spacedapart, laterally extending beams supporting said floors at intervals, each beam commonly carrying both of said floors, a ball return trackway supported on said beams between a spaced pair of said iioors, and means for individually adjusting the angularity of said beams for iioor leveling purposes.

10. A bowling alley comprising means forming a pair of adjacent alley floors, a series of spaced-apart, laterally extending beams sup-r porting said oors at intervals, each beam commonly carrying both of said floors, a ball return trackway supported on said beams between a spaced pair of said floors, said return trackway being supported at an elevation substantially below the level of said oors, and means for individually adjusting the angularity of said beams for iloor leveling purposes.

11. A bowling alley comprising means forming a pair of adjacent alley oors, a series of spaced-apart, laterally extending beams supporting said floors at intervals, each beam commonly carrying both of said floors, a ball return trackway supported on said beams between a spaced pair of said ilocrs, means forming edge gutters at the adjacentedges of said alley floors, said gutters being located between the return trackway and the adjacent edges of said floors, and spaced sheet metal plates forming brackets supporting said gutters on said beams.

12. A bowling alley comprising means forming a pair of adjacent alley floors, a series of spacedapart, laterally extending beams supporting said floors at intervals, each beam commonly carrying both of said iioors, a `ball return trackway supported on said beams between a spaced pair of said floors, sheet metal trough means forming edge gutters at and having edges secured to the adjacent edges of said alley floors, said gutters being located between the return trackway and the adjacent edges of said floors, and sheet metal means forming a cover carried by and secured to and extending between the facing edges of said gutters in position enclosing said trackway.

13. A bowling alley comprising metallic members arranged in end-to-end relationship to form spaced-apart sectional floor edge retaining and supporting means extending longitudinallyy of the alley and aiiording facing ledges, plate means supported, at the opposite edges of the plate means, on said facing ledges, monolithic means on said plate means in position extending between said spaced-apart edge retaining and supporting means to form an alley floor, laterally extending beams supporting said floor at intervals, a threaded sleeve at an end of each beam, and means for individually adjusting the elevation of each beam for leveling the floor, comprising a threaded stem in the sleeve thereof in combination with a bearing plate in position to receive the thrust of said stem.

14. A bowling alley comprising means forming an alley floor, elongated sheet metal means forming a ball return way extending adjacent an edge of said alley floor, a sheet metal trough member forming an edge gutter extending between said floor and said return way and having one edge secured to and along an edge of the floor and another edge secured to and along said return way, spaced-apart transverse beams supporting said alley iioor at intervals, and spaced sheet metal plates forming common brackets supporting said gutter and said return way on said beams.

15. A bowling alley comprising means forming -a monolithic floor structure, laterally extending beams supporting said floor structure at each end and 'intermediate the ends of the floor structure, metallic grille means forming a pit floor at one end of said oor structure, longitudinally extending channels supporting the lateral edges of said grille, means supporting said channels on a oor supporting beam at one end of said floor structure, and adjustable means supporting remote portions of said channel members.

i6. A bowling alley comprising means forming a monolithic iloor structure, laterally extending beams supporting said floor structure at each end and intermediate the ends of the floor structure, metallic grille means forming a pit oor at one end of said floor structure, longitudinally extending channels supporting the lateral edges of said grille, means supporting said channels on a floor suporting beam at one end of said floor structure, and adjustable means supporting remote portions or said channel members, said channel members providing facing flanges for supporting a dust pan beneath said grille.

17. A bowling alley comprising means forming j an alley oor having sheet metal trough means forming edge gutters along the lateral edges thereof, transverse beams supporting said floor and gutters at spaced intervals, means forming a ball delivery station at one end of said alley floor, means forming a pit at the opposite end of said alley floor, and sheet metal means iorniing a ball return tunnel containing track means therein extending between said pit and said delivery station adjacent and outwardly oi one of said edge gutters, said return track means between said pit and delivery stations being depressed below the level of said alley floor and having portions elevated above the level oi' the alley iioor at said pit and at said delivery station, said sheet metal means forming said tunnel being secured to and along the iioor remote edge of the adjacent edge gutter.

18. A bowling alley ccinprising means forming a pair of adjacently extending alley floors, sheet metal trough means forming a gutter bordering each of the adjacent edges of said floors, each gutter having an edge secured along a longitudinal edge or the floor which it borders, elongated sheet metal means having opposed edges secured to the floor remote edges of said gutters to interconnect the same and close the space therebetween, a series of laterally extending beams supporting each of said floors at ntervals, the beams carrying one floor having ends in spaced alignment with the abutting ends of corresponding beams supporting the other iioor, and means for adjusting the elevation of the abutting ends of a pair of said beams, comprising a turnable member having an operable portion accessible through the space between the ioor remote edges of said gutters.

19. A bowling alley comprising means forming an alley floor, longitudinally extending `floor supporting rail means supporting an edge oi said floor, an elongated sheet metal trough member forming a ball return track extending adjacent an edge of said alley floor, a sheet metal trough member forming an edge gutter extending between said iloor and said track and having one edge secured to and along an edge of the iioor and another edge secured to and along the edge of said track-forming trough member, spaced-apart plates forming brackets secured on said rail means and affording common support for said edge gutter and said return track, longitudinally extending channel means spaced from said rail means and supporting said brackets, and transverse beams supporting said rail means and said channel means at intervals throughout the length of the alley oor.

20. A bowling alley comprising means forming a pair-of adjacent alley floors in spaced relationship, channeled members in end-to-end relationship forming` longitudinally extending floor supporting rail means dening the opposed edges of said iloor., longitudinally extending sheet metal means forming gutters extending at and having edges secured along the adjacent edges of adjacent fioors, gutter supporting brackets connected at intervals on said longitudinally extending oor supporting members and extending beneath said gutters to support the same, andv means forming a walking aisle supported by said brackets and extendingv longitudinally of saidbowling alley between said gutters.

2l. Av bowling alley comprising means forming a pair of adjacent alley oors in spaced relationship, channelled, members in end-to-end relationship forming longitudinally extending floor supporting, rail means dening the opposed edges of said oor, longitudinally extending sheet metal means forming gutters extending at and having edges secured alongy the adjacent edges oadjacent floors, gutter supporting brackets connected at intervals on said longitudinally extending Hoor supporting members and extending beneath said gutters to support the same, means forming a walking aisle supported by said brackets and extending longitudinally of said bowlingA alley between said gutters, and sheet metal closure means carried on. said brackets and enclosing the space between thefacing edges ofsaid gutters and the opposed edgesv of said walking aisle.

22. A bowling alley comprising means forming a pair of adjacent. alley floors. inv spaced relationship, channelled members` in end-to-end relationship forming longitudinally extending floor supporting rail means defining the opposed edges of saidoor, longitudinally extending sheet metal means forming gutters extending at and having edges secured along the adjacent edges of adjacent floors, gutter supporting brackets connected at intervals on saidlongitudinally extending floor supporting members and extending.

beneath saidl gutters to support the same, means forming a walking aisle `supported by said brackets and extending longitudinally of said bowling alley between said gutters, and sheet metal closure means carried'A on said brackets and enclosing the space betweenthe facing edges of said gutters and the opposed edges of said walking aisle, said closure means being formed to-provide a ball return trackway between one ofsaid gutters and said walking aisle.

HENRY` E. GREMP. EDWARD C. GREMP. 

